The strategic plan of the Magdalena Department (Colombia), using as a guide the
Sequential Model of the Strategic Process, intends through a situational analysis and
diagnosis of the department, to define its potential and propose action plans for the
exploitation of these. It also identifies weaknesses and aspects of improvement that have not
allowed the alignment of the department with the Country's Competitiveness Plan.
Magdalena is one of the 32 departments of Colombia that counts on a privileged
geographical location by its direct exit to the sea and port activity; is characterized for being
part of one of the three main corridors of the National Roads Network, also has aerial exits,
river navigability and rail network. It also has economic activities in the hotel sector and
tourism and agriculture; a potential source of wealth and variety of natural resources.
However, there are situations of poverty, low coverage in education and health
systems and a predominant concentration of industrial activity in the capital Santa Marta;
additionally the country's situation in relation to the internal conflict and decrease of the
macroeconomic indexes make it more vulnerable.
The Department's vision for the year 2027 is to lead among the first of the country by
its competitiveness indexes through the impulse of key sectors such as education, tourism,
exports, security and transparency of institutions with a strong component of social inclusion.
In order to achieve this vision, the department must work to increase its share of the
GDP, going from the current 1.3% to 8% by 2027, working on a 23% increase in the
perception of a favorable security, decreasing the social gap that poverty currently generates
and to reduce by half the unemployment rate that today is close to 8%